A Study on the Effect of Alfalfa in Sheep Rations on Feeding Efficiency and Reproductive Performance

R., Al-Geldawy; Osman, A.; Awad, M.; El-Sayes, M.

doi:10.21608/japfp.2014.7439

A Study on the Effect of Alfalfa in Sheep Rations on Feeding Efficiency and Reproductive Performance

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Improved Agricultural Systems Project, Ismailia, Agricultural Research Centre, Egypt.

² Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Egypt.

³ Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt.

10.21608/japfp.2014.7439

Abstract

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of alfalfa forage in ewes’ rations on
feeding and reproductive performance. Three experiments were carried out in this study during 10 months, the first
experiment was carried out on 51 local ewes in 3 groups (17 in each) and the second experiment was carried out on 9
ewes (3 in each), while the third experiment was conducted on a mature fistulated Buffalo bull. The rations provided to
animals were classified into three experimental rations. The first ration (control) was made up of 82% concentrate feed
mixture (CFM) and 18% wheat straw, the second ration consisted of 50% CFM, 30% fresh alfalfa and 20% maize
grains and The third ration composed of 60% fresh alfalfa and 40% maize grains, on DM basis. The rations were
offered to ewes in quantities to meet the nutrient requirements according to NRC (1985). Animals in exp. 1 and 2 were
randomly allotted into three treatment groups, the 1st group was control which consumed the 1st ration, treatment 1(T1)
which consumed the 2nd ration and treatment 2(T2) which consumed the 3rd ration. Results revealed that a
significantly increase (p≤0.05) in a crude protein disappearance of alfalfa than concentrate feed mixture or maize grains
was observed at 4 hrs. post-incubation. Control group which was fed on CFM and wheat straw had a significantly
increase (p≤0.05) in conception rate and lambing rates than other groups (T1 and T2 which were fed on rations
contained alfalfa). On the other hand, T2 had the significantly higher concentration (p≤0.05) of Progesterone than T1
and control at the 3rd day before estrus day. This study showed that the use of alfalfa caused reduction in reproductive
efficiency of ewes and recommended the maximum safe adding of fresh green alfalfa on the dry matter basis in the diets
of ewes should not to exceed 30% of the total nutrient requirements.

Keywords